<p>My son is a senior and already chose three schools. We woud like to add to the list, especially with "affordable" schools, in case he does not get the others, or can not pay for them... He would like to do an organ performance major, possible double major with composition. Any ideas?</p>
<p>University of North Texas has a very fine program. If out of state, it is still fairly inexpensive by many state standards. He would enter as an organ major. UNT does not have entering composition majors as it is a program that they must earn their way into during their second year. I don’t know if Oberlin is on your list, but with the chance of merit and gift aid, it can be brought into the affordable range. And the organ in Finney Chapel. WOW!</p>
<p>Arizona State has a very good opera program. And if his grades are good he can get funding by applying to the Barrett Honors program</p>
<p>woops…".Arizona State has a very good opera program"
I meant organ.
Though they do have a good opera program as well!!</p>
<p>[Organ</a> Performance | Westminster Choir College](<a href=“http://www.rider.edu/wcc/undergraduate-programs/organ-performance]Organ”>http://www.rider.edu/wcc/undergraduate-programs/organ-performance) Westminster Choir College has had good organ program in the past, although one of their professors just left and started at Rice this year. They were also generous with scholarship money when DD was accepted for voice.</p>
<p>Thank you I will look into those schools. His list is currently USC, Juilliard and Curtis. He had UCLA up till we discovered that they stopped the organ program for the up-coming year… We are in CA. Oberlin could work out but it is such in a small town and the cost is high… How can one find out fairly accurately how much the school may give for scholarships and grants. We are new at this college application and end up spending hours researching for financial data that des not seem accurate.</p>
<p>An accurate assessment will not be available until after the process ends. However most schools have a financial aid or scholarship advisor. Call them.
For example: Scholarships (from ASU’s Barrett program)</p>
<p>“Most Barrett students have merit-based scholarships, with the vast majority of students receiving their ASU merit scholarship award before they are even admitted to BHC. However, many Barrett students need more scholarships to fund their entire education. The ASU Scholarship office employs scholarship advisors who can be contacted Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm at (480) 965-4845 or via email at <a href=“mailto:scholarships@asu.edu”>scholarships@asu.edu</a>. There are several scholarships at ASU with specific criteria and with varying deadlines and application requirements. The best way to find any relevant scholarship is to use the Scholarship Search on the ASU Scholarship Office web page <a href=“http://students.asu.edu/scholarships[/url]”>http://students.asu.edu/scholarships</a>. The Scholarship Search option has links to the scholarships available within specific colleges at ASU as well. The endowed scholarships offered by Barrett, The Honors College, can be reviewed here.”</p>
<p>I’ve heard about College of the Holy Cross from prospective organ majors applying to the same level of colleges as your son (Jyard, Curtis, Westminster.) Holy Cross was also on their list because of the specific scholarship.</p>
<p>[Music</a> Scholarships](<a href=“http://academics.holycross.edu/music/scholarships]Music”>http://academics.holycross.edu/music/scholarships)</p>
<p>Yes, Oberlin is a small town and unless you knew it, you wouldn’t think that Cleveland was only 35 miles away. It also has a liberal arts college culture (vibe) outside of the conservatory as conservatory students use the same dorms and dining halls as the college (for example, my son’s roommate is a creative writng major in the college) . If one is more geared to the uban educational institution atmosphere of Juilliard or Curtis, Oberlin may not be the right cup of tea. Oberlin merit aid is granted in one’s acceptance letter as part of the Dean’s Scholarship Award. An estimate of gift aid is sent by the financial aid office shortly after the CS Profile form is received.</p>
<p>Oberlin meets all need - wonderful scholarships and financial aid - don’t let the price deter you.</p>
<p>If you’re going to look at Oberlin, take the time to check out CIM. I’ve heard a wonderful young organist there who actually got the chance, as a sophomore, to play in Severance Hall for a concert.</p>
<p>I second Westminster Choir College for organ; and also the organ at Oberlin is amazing.</p>
<p>Scholarships are going to be partly merit based, and so will depend on your son’s audition. It can be difficult to discern in advance because of this case by case scenario and there are no hard and fast rules.</p>